Glen Minami

Advantages: good instruction, not too busy, fun atmosphere
Disadvantages: could be too pricey for some

...On being diagnosed with 'Ankylosing Spondylitis' (I think I've spelt it right!)I knew I needed to begin to get fit, I had visited my physio and got excercises from her that stretched my spine but wanted more. Basically with this disease the less you move the more you lose the ability to move (in a nutshell) so I decided to look for a gym. In the Stansted area you aren't really spoilt for choice, but undeterred I went along to the Living Well Gym at the airport's Hilton Hotel. I found them on the internet using Ask Jeeves - it looked good but the web site was quite vague in what exactly was on offer in each Living Well Centre. I popped in on my way home from work on 25th February and saw Glen, who was very helpful. He told me what they had there, and how much it all was, he also informed me that if I joined in February... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap, relativly light
Disadvantages: Leash comes off

...disfigured and cracked by being used in grade III winter climb on thin ice with hard rock under the ice. When holding the axe head in your hand and putting weight on the head, you will get a sore hand after a while, although this is quit common. The axe feels fairly comfortable enough, to use when held acros the chest, and the wist strip looks and feels studry enough, The strap can travel from the top of the shaft to almost 3/4 to the bottom of the shaft where it is stopped by a welded on ring that keeps the lease on the shaft. The lease also has a plastic adjustment to make sure it fits the wrist snuggly. The axe, although light does have enough weight in the head to make penetrating solid ice relativly easy. Having practised on a steep (and yes safe slope) for a while, i felt confident enough to take the Anoch Engich ridge in Glen Coe... Read review

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Advantages: Reduces impacting of knee joints
Disadvantages: No free hands

...Last week I walked the 80 mile Great Glen Way across Scotland from Fort William in the west to Inverness in the east. The walk is mainly flat although I\'d say about 25% of it is up and down some fairly big hills. I had never used walking poles before last week and seeing as I had not walked a long distance walk for nearly 10 years I thought I would give these particular pair a go, given they had such a good review from Miskah. Well I\'m very happy to say they were outstanding and I cannot recommend them highly enough to other long distance walkers - this is what I did on the way last week in fact to quite a number of non-walking pole walkers ! After the 5 day walk I was expecting to come home with a limp and a bit of difficulty walking for several days after - well that just has not happened as the poles have reduced the forces... Read review

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